Scene 4

(Surat Congress. The Moderates, the Nationalists, the Revolutionaries and the members of the different perties. Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Aurobindo, Rash Behari Ghosh, Surendranath Banerjee and many other leaders. A wild uproar arises over the Presidential election. At last they decide on their respective voting strength. Suren Banerjee, leader of the Moderate Party, stands up.)

SUREN BANERJEE: I propose Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh to the chair.

TILAK: (Getting up) I propose Lala Laipat Rai to the chair.

THE MODERATES: (Addressing Tilak) Sit down, please sit down.

THE NATIONALISTS: How dare you, you fellows? One more shout at our Tilak Maharaj and you get the lesson of your life.

THE MODERATES: Don’t yell. Your force is in your throat; ours in our arms.

(Chairs and tables are hurled about by the Moderates. The Nationalists too hit them back. Amid a greet uproar there starts an exchange of blows.)

TILAK: I declare the Congress closed.

THE MODERATES: Shut up, you deliberate breaker of the Congress.

(One could reed on the self-composed face of Sri Aurobindo his poignant thought.)

AUROBINDO: Alas, is this the India of my dream?

(The police come in to restore order. In silence Tilak, Aurobindo and some of the leaders leave the spot)